Benefits of Senior Living Communities Over In-Home Care

April 15, 2020

(Last Updated On: May 5, 2020)

When selecting a senior living option for yourself or a family member, you’re faced with many choices. If they require assistance with everyday tasks, but their health is good enough that they don’t require around-the-clock medical care, you’re likely weighing your options between at-home care and a senior living community near Johnstown, PA. How do you know which is the best option for you or your loved one? Keep reading to learn the many benefits of choosing a senior living community over in-home care.

Lower Costs

Cost is often a huge factor for families when considering care options. When comparing in-home care and a senior living community, the living community will almost always be less expensive than paying for care at home. Living communities also often have different packages or levels of care to choose from, with different amenities and services based on the resident’s individual needs. For example, you may be able to opt out of housekeeping if that is not an expense you wish to pay for, and you are capable of maintaining your residence yourself. This helps you to keep costs down and remain within your budget each month.

True Community

One of the problems that many individuals face as they get older is a sense of loneliness. You may not be able to get out as much as you once did, your children may have moved away as they grew, and you may have lost a spouse and many of your friends over the years. This can leave many people feeling isolated, and in-home care won’t fix that.

Senior living communities are just that—communities. They put you in close proximity to those who are in the same stage of life as you, providing you with ample opportunities to connect and make new friends with those in your community. There are also organized activities to appeal to many different types of interests, providing you with even more chances to connect to others. In communities like these, feelings of isolation are much less likely to be a problem.

Access to Medical Care

Even if you don’t need around-the-clock medical care, it is always helpful to have access to it when you need it. If you pay for in-home care, you’ll have a caregiver when they’re on the clock—that is, if you’re paying for a caregiver who can provide medical care, which will cost you more. If you’re not employing a medical professional, you’ll need to visit an urgent care facility nearby or call an ambulance to receive the care you need.

But many senior living communities have on-site health services and 24/7 access to medical care, making it easy to get the healthcare you need. This is simply something you cannot achieve with in-home care.

Activities and Amenities

As already mentioned, many people find it difficult to get out and engage in activities as they get older, but in a senior living community, there are often organized activities and community-exclusive amenities that you can take advantage of under normal health circumstances. There are ample opportunities for you to get out of the house. Organized activities like walking groups also encourage you to remain active and healthy while helping you to find new friends in your community.